Delany named Ireland Women captain

Laura Delany, the 23-year allrounder, has been named captain of the Ireland Women's team, Cricket Ireland confirmed through a release. Kim Garth, the 19-year old allrounder from Pembroke, will serve as her deputy.

Delany will take over from Isobel Joyce, who stepped down last month after the Women's World T20.

"It's a really proud moment for me and a really exciting time in my playing career," Delany said. "It's such an honour and really shows the confidence and belief that Cricket Ireland, the selectors and coaching staff have in me both as a player and person. Certainly, it is a big responsibility and the standards that have been set before me are extremely high."

Aaron Hamilton, the Ireland Women's coach, praised Delany's maturity and ability to read the game.

"Laura is an honest, hard-working young woman and I admire her competitiveness both on and off the field," Hamilton said. "She has a maturity beyond her years, with an old head on young shoulders. She is very astute, possessing a shrewd cricketing brain, who reads the game well, and is cool-headed. These attributes will stand her in good stead for the challenges ahead."

Delany has played 21 ODIs for Ireland, scoring 204 runs at an average of 13.60, along with 13 wickets at 35.61. She has also played 33 T20Is and has 294 runs at 16.33 in the format, in addition to 18 wickets at an economy rate of 6.97.